Shift
/ʃɪft/noun
To move or change position, direction, or emphasis.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning to divide or arrange, which is why it can still mean both a physical move and a mental change in perspective.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*skei-
“to cut, split, divide”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*skiftaną
“to divide, separate, arrange”
Old English
English
sciftan
“to divide, distribute, appoint”
Middle English
English
shiften
“to divide, arrange, move, change”
Modern English
English
shift
“to move, change, or alter position or direction”